- Matchday - 03/08/2016 20:45h

VCF's Pérez hits sweet strike in Bournemouth draw

August, 03 2016 -

Enzo Pérez fired home a precision strike to finish off a fine team move as Valencia CF went ahead in a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth, in a preseason friendly at the Vitality Stadium.

The Argentinian went past a player on the edge of the area and struck the ball into the top right corner to give the blanquinegros the lead after 37 minutes.

It was the perfect culmination to a slick passing move where Javi Fuego knocked the ball long for Paco Alcácer, who flicked the ball down to Pérez who did the rest.

Benik Afobe grabbed the equaliser though for the side from the south coast of England with a well-taken effort inside the area on the hour mark.

Valencia CF coach Pako Ayestarán started with a more experienced side than that which went out to play Finnish outfit FC Ilves last Saturday where they had a comfortable win.

Promising new signing Medrán came into midfield alongside Enzo Pérez and Javi Fuego. In defence, Orban partnered Santos at centre half with Shkodran Mustafi fine tuning his fitness having returned later to preseason training after Euro 2016.

They faced a young Bournemouth side, lively and direct, that made it a useful test for the blanquinegros.

Afobe had an early header wide from a free-kick while Santi Mina got a shot away for the visitors, on the quarter hour, under pressure and it was deflected wide. From the resulting corner Orban steered the ball over at the near post.

Alcácer forced keeper Artur Boruc to scramble and clear his 25-yard shot but generally the intensity of the game dropped as the first half went on, that was until Pérez’s delightful goal.

Valencia the grew in confidence and could have had another before the break when a Medrán free-kick was parried by Boruc and Orban headed the rebound wide.

Ayestarán made several changes at the start of the second half and while Valencia remained largely in charge, the home side had the potential to cause problems on the breakaway.

Valencia looked comfortable at the back before the equaliser came with Simon Francis crossing for Afobe, who found space in the box to power the ball past Mat Ryan.

Straight after, Bournemouth pushed forward again with Francis again crossing for Afobe who slotted wide in front of goal.

With the game opened up Valencia then attacked after clearing a Bournemouth corner, but Santi Mina, through on goal, saw his shot smothered by Boruc.

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Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, re-use is not permitted.